After a 36-turkey showing last year, the staff at the Avera Dells Area Health Center campus hoped to up their donation drive to 40. But with an increased need in the community, the crew mustered up 60 turkeys and one ham in the name of Thanksgiving spirit.

Now in its second year, the Avera Dells turkey drive is intended to help families in need with their main course during the holidays. The group formerly put together Thanksgiving supply boxes but the group sought to expand the cause.

“We decided to just do turkeys so we can get the cornerstone of the meal,” Avera employee Lynn Carlson said, adding that all donations from the campus are staying local. The turkeys and ham will be distributed through the food pantry in the United Methodist Church, and 75 families in the community have already requested assistance.

With about $550 invested in the drive, Carlson is impressed that employees, many of whom are not Dell Rapids residents, were so willing to give of themselves for the cause.

“You work here and you get to know the people in town and want to give back to the community,” she said.